Quality of Life, Resilience, and Related Factors of Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 and the associated measures to mitigate the spread of the virus have significantly disrupted nursing education.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between quality of life (QoL), resilience, and associated factors among nursing students during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing requirements. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey with nursing students (n = 152) was conducted at a public university in rural Appalachia in April 2020. Instruments included World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, demographics and school-related questionnaires, and an open-ended question. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Resilience, having online experience, and being well prepared for online learning were associated with each QoL domain. Remarkably, 21% to 54% of nursing student QoL scores indicated poor QoL. Conclusions: Cultivating resilience among nursing students may improve QoL, help with academic success, and prepare students to sustain the demands associated with the nursing profession.

Quality of life and fear of COVID-19 in 2600 baccalaureate nursing students at five universities: a cross-sectional study

“…For example, a Polish study found that social distancing, self-isolation and limited access to public spaces among young university students were associated with decreased QoL [ 46 ]. Moreover, a study of nursing students in rural Appalachia, West Virginia, USA, suggested that factors such as resilience and preparedness for online learning were associated with QoL [ 47 ].…”

Posttraumatic growth and positive determinants in nursing students after COVID‐19 alarm status: A descriptive cross‐sectional study

“…There are limited numbers of studies that examined the psychological resilience in different samples during the current pandemic. Only one study examining the psychological resilience of nursing students during the COVID‐19 process was found, and 38% of the students in the aforementioned study were found to have poor resilience scores 18 . There are studies that found mean psychological resilience scores as 21.22 ± 4.68 in university students, 38 as 20.47 ± 3.95 adult individuals 39 and as 18.13 ± 5.42 in young adults 40 .…”

“…In this context, nursing educators may play an important role by taking advantage of these methods to help students maintain or develop resilience during these challenging times in the COVID‐19 pandemic period. This is because the role of nursing educators is very valuable in terms of developing learning activities or programs to increase resilience, supporting nursing students, providing protection during stressful events, and increasing future employability 18 …”

“…When evaluated from the psychopathological perspective, the COVID‐19 pandemic may be interpreted as a new stress, psychological crisis, or trauma 17 . Although exposure to the negative consequences of trauma from COVID‐19 in the acute phase seems well documented, there is little information about some paradoxical, positive consequences of trauma experiences 18 …”

“…While the COVID‐19 pandemic has brought a dynamic process in line with the changing characteristics of the virus, it has also changed the structure of nursing education. The literature which emerged within the scope of positive psychology during the COVID‐19 process revealed only one study examining the psychological resilience of nursing students 18 . However, uncertainty remains about examining the positive psychological dynamics of nursing students such as PTG, psychological resilience, and psychological resilience during the COVID‐19 process.…”